Earlier this year, I had the honour of reading an ARC of a very special book. Special because it is written by one of my favourite authors, Amanda Prowse, and her son, Josiah Hartley.
The biggest difference between this book and the numerous others Amanda has authored, is that her previous works were fiction. This is about reality.
Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to resolve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one…
Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student’s mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them during those dark times.
Josiah’s situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life.
In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah’s raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child.
For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message—you are not alone, and there is hope.
Can I just say… I was hugely affected by this book. Honestly, I think it should be compulsory reading for all parents, especially at the moment, with the effects of the Pandemic upon the minds of our youngsters.
Now, let me share my ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!
The Boy Between is a gut-wrenching memoir delving into the depths of depression, written by mother and son duo; award-winning contemporary novelist, Amanda Prowse, and her beloved son, Josh Hartley.
Imagine being that child, for whom nothing seemed to come easy. Perceptions and thoughts as a young person, differing from others all the time. Then finding out you were dyslexic and overcoming your learning difficulties to become a top student.
The world is literally at your feet. Universities of your choice sending offers, fantastic predicted grades.
Suddenly, a fog enters your mind. Nothing appears to stay in your brain. An overwhelming exhaustion hits. Nothing is more important that getting to that bed.
Now, flip the coin and imagine being the mother of that child for whom life has been quite tough. Finally, he’s got his break. He’s doing so well. You only want what is best for your boy.
Then a change comes over him. Interest in his work dwindles. He doesn’t want to really talk or interact. A call from his tutor confirms that there may be an issue.
What no one seems to realise is this is the time that child has begun to descend into the dark hole that is depression.
I was in tears, reading so many sections of this book.
Josh’s openness and honesty buried deep inside me, I could feel the darkness he was spiralling into.
Amanda’s recount of the same days, as a mother, who would never want anything negative to happen to her son, was just as heart-breaking. The realisation that her child was suffering from an illness, which she would not be able to heal easily, was hard to read, but so well written.
I applaud both Josh and Amanda for tackling an issue that is oft swept under the carpet. Depression can creep up on anyone. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what your background is. But it is serious. Serious enough that people take their own lives when they can’t take it anymore.
I can’t recommend this book enough.
Available from 1st November from all good book retailers.
About the authors:
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose twenty five novels and seven novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles ‘What Have I Done?’, ‘Perfect Daughter’, ‘My Husband’s Wife’, ‘The Girl in the Corner’ and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda is a regular panellist on Channel 5’s ‘The Jeremy Vine Show’ and numerous daytime ITV programmes. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national independent Radio stations including LBC and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, ‘A Mother’s Story’ won the coveted Sainsbury’s eBook of the year Award while ‘Perfect Daughter’ was selected as a World Book Night title in 2016.
Amanda’s ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades…
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
‘A powerful and emotional work of fiction’ – Piers Morgan
‘Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill’ – Daily Mail
‘Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues’ – Hello!
‘A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read’ – The Irish Sun
‘You’ll fall in love with this…’ – Cosmopolitan
‘Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.’ – Heat
‘Magical’ – Now magazine
A keen environmentalist and animal lover, Josiah (Josh) Hartley lives in a remote farmhouse in the West Country with his two idle and arrogant French Bulldogs, Dottie and Beau. Happiest following the music scene in Bristol, at a festival or watching rugby with his mates, Josh enjoys the outdoor life and often heads to the sea to surf and sit on the beach watching the sun go down.
After a stint at the University of Southampton, another at the University of Bristol and one planned suicide, Josh decided to write about his descent into mental illness and the depression that held him in its grip for the past few years. The Boy Between carries the overriding message that things can and often do get better. It is a book of reflection, raw, honest and full of hope – the proof being that Josh is still here and excited about what comes next. He’s ready to catch any opportunity that life throws his way; quite a thing for someone who only a few years ago was living in a world gone grey, ready to disappear from the face of the earth…
Aaah, August… my month of rest(ish) as I am off school, and alongside my writing, I am hoping to make another dent in that TBR pile of mine, which shrinks every month, yet grows at the same time!
And I managed eighteen in total… not bad, among all the writing and house clear out.
Took me a little while to get into the flow of this book, but I felt I should read it, seeing as it had been on my Kindle for a while and because I had an arc of the sequel to read too. The story of Holly, mum to one and housewife to Jack. They lived in aa pretty normal place, living a normal life until Jack’s job forced a move into the village of Primm. As I was introduced to the place, the residents of the village, it had a true Stepford Wives vibe with the Queen Bee, Mary-Margaret St. John, courting over everything that happened, especially the famed PTA for the local school. Holly finds it hard to settle in, and even harder to let her daughter Ella go, as she starts kindergarten. Especially as she has been roped in to help with numerous events with the PTA by the rather domineering Mary-Margaret. Some interesting twists, and a large topiary peacock (peahen) named Plume feature in this middle of the road tale of an angsty mum, settling into unfamiliar grounds, while solving little problems as she goes.
Receiving this as an ARC pushed me to read the first in the Village of Primm series, which I already had on my Kindle. Where I liked book one, this one, I liked even more, as we got to know more about the quirky characters now a full-time part of Holly Banks’ life since she moved to the Village of Primm with her family. Holly’s wayward dog, Struggle is the star of this one, unearthing local treasures in her digging frenzies when she gets out of the back yard, and this causes consternation for some, and huge excitement for others. There is still this Stepford Wives quality to the women who live there, but we get to delve deeper into their characters. An enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley. and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Releasing 24th November, 2020
Review to come in an exclusive post with author Kiley Dunbar!
If you’re a fan of the spangly ballroom dancing fiesta that is Strictly Come Dancing, (or if you’re not, but still love a bit of romance) then you are going to love this! Thirty-seven-year-old Maggie, single mum, doctor, and Strictly superfan enjoys weekly gatherings with her best friends, twins, Sarah and Alice, andher nanny, Hannah, to watch all the latest episodes of Strictly Come Dancing. Even their kids have caught the bug. As they settle down for a night of pizza and dance, a new face shows himself, in the name of Seb, the twin’s younger, wayward brother. Hearts are set aflutter, but who is this twenty-seven-year-old Aussie surf hunk destined to fall for? Hannah, the pretty nanny, or Maggie, the middle-aged mum? Sprinkled with humour, dance, and annoying ex-husbands, Strictly Come Dating is a fun, easy read. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Roisin has had a rough ride in life, bouncing from foster carer to foster carer, before entering o=innto an abusive marriage. Through a welcome tragedy, she finds herself widowed and wants to make a fresh start for her and her son, Ben. A pin in a map lands her in a tiny village called Ballybray in Ireland, and it couldn’t be more different from her upbringing in the city of Dublin. Once there, she finds that she has an interfering neighbour, Mabel Murphy, an elderly widow, with a New York twang, who refuses to believe that this young woman would prefer to be alone. What develops between them, is a friendship stronger than most, more akin to family. Life is idyllic, almost, until Mabel gets ill and passes away. But this meddling neighbour isn’t finished with her work to make sure Roisin lives her life to the fullest. Somehow, from beyond the grave, she’s arranged for some messages, specifically for Roisin, and Aidan, Mabel’s nephew, who has been in the US for the last fourteen years, and only comes back to Ballybray to attend the funeral and sell off her property. What follows, in the story, is the impact of the messages that Mabel sends, seasonally, for these two lost souls, over the course of a year, and how the words of a soul long gone, can still have a positive effect on the lives of those left behind. I truly enjoyed this book. Wonderful characters. Everyone needs a Mabel Murphy in their lives. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful addition to the Timothy Mean series of books. Timothy goes on several adventures in his time machine, visiting Ancient Egypt and Rome, to name a few destinations. He finds himself in several pickles, just about escaping with his time machine. Until faced with the aliens in space. This is when the power of siblings comes into play. Beautiful illustrations and a lovely rhyming story make for another book, I’d happily read to my class in school.
A fun recount of a year in the life of Nell, a forty-something woman who feels like nothing in her life is how she/d imagined it would be, as she reaches her forties. No man, no job, no home, no children… friends soaring in their own lives. Even her younger brother is getting ahead of her. Through the year, she begins documenting her thoughts in a little known podcast, meets an old mate who gives her a simple job, that leads to her meeting an octogenarian new BFF and finds a room to rent in a flat, with a rather pernickety landlord. The year has its ups and downs, but the biggest thing is there is discovery and not just the discovery that her podcast ends up a hit! A fun-filled, relatable read for all those who think their lives are going nowhere, and need a reminder that all will be well Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing 31st December, 2020
Are you a writer, toying with the idea of collaborating with another author? Do you even know what collaboration is?
I must admit, the first thing that came to mind for me was the co-authored books that I’ve seen, but in this book Dan Willcocks breaks collaboration down into fantastically entertaining bite-size chunks, from the start, explaining the different types of collaboration, to how to approach another writer about forming a partnership of sorts.
Then he goes further into the nitty-gritty of working with another creator.
There’s pretty much everything any self-respecting author needs, to educate themselves on the art of a successful collaboration.
I especially enjoyed the case studies interspersed within the book, giving us a smorgasbord of tidbits and nuggets of advice from established collaborators in various types of partnerships.
Well worth the investment, if you are thinking of collaboration with another author.
I’ve got to be honest. The title totally drew me in. A group for adult virgins? Bring it on! A short segment at the beginning introduces two characters who don’t know each other, at uni, in 2011. Kate and Freddie, are both plucking up the courage to approach people they like. Fast forward to now, and those same characters have never quite managed to pluck up that courage, and now find themselves, almost ten years later, in the same place, romantically, as they were then. A chance sighting of a card in a pub, advertising a group for Adult Virgins, leads them both back to their old university, where the meetings are held, and the story unfolds. Low confidence, OCD, overbearing families, friends who really aren’t, interspersed with new opportunities, new friends, and possible new love. A cut story, which you know is going to have a HEA. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Staughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine the heartbreak. You’ve planned for what feels like forever, and finally got the girl of your dreams in the place of her dreams, with a ring waiting in your pocket, the privacy of an empty pod on the London Eye, and it’s New Year’s Eve to boot. Then she says no. This is precisely what happens to our hero, Josh. He finds himself jobless, homeless and girlfriendless to boot. After moving home to his parents, a 27-year-old failure, he decides the flip of a coin will be the best way to make all the choices about his life for a year. After all, making them on his own hasn’t worked out that well. Will it help him find love? A job? A new home? What follows is a gigglesome account of what happens when a small disc of metal dictates what you do next. I enjoyed the story, though possibly a little unrealistic, but it made for an easy read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Reading the blurb for this book truly enticed me to read the story of two people who find themselves side by side in a hospital recovery ward, building a friendship, a relationship, almost, without ever seeing each other. Alfie is the life of the ward, keeping the spirits of his two longterm roommates up, developing bonds with everyone he encounters, and is coming to terms with his own tragedy, and being a recent addition to the world of the amputee. Then, one day the spare bed next to him is filled, but the curtains are drawn. The secret roommate intrigues them all. Alice is a successful career woman, but her world comes tumbling down after a freak accident at her work leaves her injured beyond recognition. She finds herself in a dark place, shutting herself away from the world, refusing to see anyone she knows, and even baulking at the idea of the health professionals coming in to check on her. What follows is a story filled with ups and downs, as Alfie tries his hardest to break down the barriers between this invisible woman and the rest of the world. I loved Alfie’s relationship with his fellow patients. He is such a positive character, but with shadows that loom over him. After reading what happened to Alice, it made me wonder how I would feel, in her situation. Would I end up wanting to become a recluse? Many deep issues explored in a captivating read. Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House Uk and Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
An intriguing concept of a book, where we follow the life of the same person, but explore the differences within their lives, had they been born male or female. Louis and Louise live the same life, but the way they are treated, and the opportunities they are afforded, show the difference gender can make in life. There are some tough themes explored within this book, and it made for an interesting read.
Absolutely loved this! I spent most of the time I was reading, nodding and imagining the different aunties that I know, and also, as a mid 40’s woman, myself, trying to work out if I was one yet, or not!
This novel was a real moment of reminiscence for me, taking me back to my youth, and remembering those young Indian lads who thought they were ‘bad’ because they liked rap and hip hop! Nikesh Shukla’s debut novel was a funny insight into the mind of a 14-year-old Gujju boy, Amit, brought up in Harrow. A boy sent to private school by parents who scrimped and saved to send him there, with great aspirations for their only boy, whose own hopes and dreams were so different. Amit never really feels like he fits in, anywhere. He’s singled out by pupils and staff in school as one of a handful of Indians, and out of school, he’s constantly batting off comments from other family and friends, about him thinking he’s too good for them because of going to Private school. He discovers Hip Hop, and decides that he’s going to embrace the Rap and Hip Hop culture with his two friends, and they form a Hip Hop band, Coconut Unlimited, with varying degrees of success… A fun read.
This was my first delve into the world of Alisha Rai’s words, and the fact that I have another of her books already lined up to read, next shows that I was not disappointed with what I read, here.
Rhiannon is a badass corporate woman with an uber-successful dating app company under her belt. But, situations from the past have tainted her view of men, relationships and love. Still, hookups are indulged in rarely, and her last one affected her in a way she never thought. Imagine then coming face to face with that same hookup in a professional setting, and watching as your life, your beliefs, your thoughts end up being turned upside down.
I loved this story, which was both light-hearted, and deep, at the same time. Focussing on issues that are so current, including the difficulties of being a minority in a place where people don’t expect you to be, and the #MeToo movement, it affected me more emotionally than I would have expected.
Rhi’s hero, Samson Lima, retired sports star, is a pleasure to read about. What a gentle giant of a gentleman!
I quickly devoured this, the second book inn the Modern Love series by Alisha Rai , invested in the characters from the first book, The Right Swipe. Imagine going about your life, and after a chance conversation in a coffee shop, finding yourself embroiled in the midst of a Tweet gone viral? Some would love it, but not a person who has consciously tried to keep herself out of the limelight for the last few years. The story of Katrina, a young, rich widow, and her own personal traumas, compared to those of Jas, Singh, her bodyguard, were pretty addictive to read. I finished it in one sitting! Loved the cultural references, and I learned stuff about South Asians and how they settled in The States, as well! Great read!
Having read Balli Kaur Jaswal’s Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, a couple of years back, I was keen to read another of her books. The fact that Shergill was in the title was a hook for me, as we know people with that surname. I know that means nothing, but it was just another familiarity that connected me. Being a writer in a similar genre was another reason I wanted to read. Three sisters, all very different, are forced back together to take part in a pilgrimage, back in the Motherland, India, planned by their mother on her deathbed. Rajni, Jezmeen and Shirina all have their personal struggles, and none want to admit them to their own sisters. This trip shows their internal struggles, as well as a building up of relationships, broken down by years of misunderstandings and secrecy. I know that India Jaswal described. I felt the emotions of the sisters, being a British Indian, going back ‘home’ yet not quite fitting in. All in all, a great read that I read in two sittings.
I began this book with a whole load of expectations, and thankfully they were met. The story follows two sisters, Ayoola, who ha a tendency to kill her boyfriends, and Korede, the older one who gets summoned to clean up the mess. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the story is a dark, comic novel, laying emphasis on these two sisters’ relationship, essentially. A very quick, fun read.
Anothe eclectic selection of reads, there. I’ve finished all my arcs for now, and am attempting to read the books by the side of my bed, before I have to pack them, for this move, if we ever get to that stage!
Which one tickled your fancy? And tell me, what are you reading now?
What a fantastic book! I always find Historical fiction to be fascinating, and this was no different. Orphan Meg Owen is picked up by the guards for stealing a loaf of bread. Expecting a punishment, but lenient at that, she is stunned to find that she is branded, on the tongue and made into a sin eater. She is cast into a life of loneliness and silence, finding solace with the other sin eater in her town. Unable to fathom why, Meg begins to learn more about her new life, taking on the sins of others on their deathbeds, then eating them, expecting to die a lonely woman. filled with the secrets of others. But she doesn’t expect to stumble upon a secret of epic proportions, involving royalty and treason. I don’t want to write too much about the story, which is twisted and brilliant in its entirety. Megan Campisi has created a parallel world, so similar to certain parts of our history, with enough changes to make it fantastical. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan. Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been a fan of Lindsey Kelk since the first I Heart book, and am always enticed by the thought of another Kelk-masterpiece out. In Case You Missed It is another great easy, summer read, with a main character, Ros, experiencing the telltale ups and downs synonymous with a Lindsey Kelk book. Trouble with work, trouble with relationships, trouble with adulting… Lots of laugh out loud moments, a gaggle of loyal, almost all-knowing friends, a teenage gaming celeb (I Know!) and some cheeky romance, with a couple of dashing heroes to add to the mix. What fun! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yet another brilliant read from Sophia Money-Coutts! Meet Florence Fairfax, a slightly OCD character, with some interesting anxiety-related behaviours, who works in a small book shop in London. Oh, and a non-existent love life. Until a concerned stepmother suggests a therapist… Amidst disbelief that anything will come of it, Flo visits said therapist and comes away with a list of her perfect man. And apparently, the universe delivers! Or does it? I loved the characters, and I honestly laughed out loud several times, causing my husband to look at me quizzically. How could I explain that “Cowabunga!” will never sound the same to me ever again? (Confused? Well, you need to read to find out the reason – and it’s well worth the read!) Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The title, Beach Read, intrigued me. The blurb even more so. Two writers, each very different, and struggling with writer’s block in their own way, end up in the same place, neighbours. And an old ‘rivalry’ becomes tentative support for one another, but love? January is all about the Happily Ever Afters, in life and her writing. Gus doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and his literary preferences mirror his thinking. Their personal challenges, along with the writing one they set for each other, allows their lives to entwine in a way they never thought possible. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. I enjoyed the characters and the story, along with the little twists and reveals that are dropped along the way, making you guess which way this story is going to end. It’s not a typical RomCom, but I could definitely see myself reading it on the beach! (Apart from some of the more intimate scenes… Well written, not too tacky, but erotic enough to make you feel…) Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not sure where to start. But suffice to say this story blew me away. Read in a day. Some say that with books that have too many characters, it is hard to feel connected or emotional about them, but this one did that and more. The story surrounding Diana and Arie’s love story is an emotive beginning, and the twists and turns at the beginning left me in tears. Then the way Belinda, Evie, Bene, Felix, Beatrix, and others, were brought into this tale of love was so clever. I just loved it! I really don’t want to write too much about the story, for fear of giving something away. Suffice to say, I think you should definitely read it! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to some sort of domestic thriller, but it wasn’t quite there. The story of Karen and Nick, moving to the country to escape from her demons, and his cheating, had so many chances for more twists to occur, and some did, but they were left with the ends still loose. The characters were great, the descriptions fantastic, but the story was lacking. Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I truly enjoyed the first book in the series, True To Me, so was eager to dive back into the Maui waters, and I was not disappointed, No Place Too Far continues the stories of a group of characters we met before in True To Me, concentrating a little more on Maggie. Maggie came out to live in Maui after her friend Quinn settled there, once she found out that was where her birth family lived. Maggie, herself, is trying to settle down after spending a year on the run from a stalker, with her young son. I was so engrossed with the story, that had I not had work the next day, I’d have been reading far into the wee hours of the morning! Quinn and Maggie’s stories run side by side, but entwining in places, and with blossoming friendships, tentative romances and shocking returns. The descriptions of the lush scenes of Maui made me wish I was there. And knowing there is a third book to come… well, I am super excited! Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A compelling read, with an amalgamation of personal experience and suggestions of how we, as a whole community, can really get behind becoming anti-racists. It gives a good background into the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and why current events may have escalated in the way they have. Educate to change. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for a copy of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Swan’s The Hidden Beach. Bell is a young British woman, who, through her own personal tragedy, ends up living in Sweden, and nanny to a family with three children she is immensely attached to. Friends think the parents, Hanna and Max, may be taking advantage of her love for the children, as week after week, she cancels plans to help them out. But then she gets sucked into a personal tragedy the family suffers, and there is no going back. The thing is, there is a twist. How can she be an impartial help in their time of need, when she appears to have confusing feelings for the one person they are all scared of? I loved Bell’s character. She is a damaged soul, who wants to get back to normality, but life is not prepared to let her. Her relationship with the children she looks after, and especially Linus, the 10-year-old son, is heartwarming to read. The story shifts in perspective, being told from Bell’s point of view, as well as Emil, and sometimes Hanna and Max. This wasn’t always clear, but with a little rereading, I would work out whose head I was in. But a good read finished in a day. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc, in exchange for an honest review.
I popped my YA cherry on the Guardian Series by Shelley Wilson, and enjoyed the Hood Academy too, so was quietly excited for this new book by her to come out. I enjoyed the story of Marianne, a young, unsuspecting girl, who doesn’t realise the power she holds within. A kingdom torn apart by the Phantom’s curse, then gently pieced together again, to be at the point of being ripped at the seams again. A strange world for this girl to be in, until she realises what her part in the role of ridding the world of the Phantom. Marianne, along with her brother, Newt, and various friends, battle dark armies and crooked lords to save their kingdom. There is magic, the fae, kingdoms, lords, ladies, and a little bit of love! I enjoyed the book, and read it easily in a couple of hours. I would say it is targeted at the younger end of the YA market.
Love. India, finding oneself, romance, strong woman… what’s not to like? I really enjoyed the story of Rachel, a woman with a plan. Or a list, at least. She’s worked hard to achieve all her goals in life so far, with the exception of one; to get married to her perfect man. But that is all about to change, just not in the way she expected. Rachel winds up in an ashram in India, attempting to rescue her boyfriend and perfect life, but ends up on a journey of self-discovery, and realises that the best-laid plans aren’t always the ‘best’. Rachel is a fabulous character. Don’t we all want to be like Rachel? Someone who knows exactly what she wants, and when. Oh, I wanted to throttle her no-god boyfriend, Paul, but then we met Seb, and I loved him! What a hottie! And a spiritual one at that. A really good read, and I loved the ending! Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
What a charm of a book! As a young girl, Leila’s mother left her and her father, with only a silver charm bracelet to remember her by. At the same time, Jake and his family move into the area Leila and her father are leaving, into their old home. A fleeting meeting between both young people leaves a lasting bond. The bracelet gets lost, and the book is a retelling of how each charm that dangles from it was acquired, and a plea to whoever finds it, to return it. I was taken on a total rollercoaster of emotions, reading the story of Leila, and her charm bracelet, and Jake, her silent support, who floated in and out of her life. I loved both the main characters and the bittersweet twist at the end left me teary. Yes, definitely read this book!aa Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb for The Shelf pulled me in immediately, hence the clicking on Request It as soon as I could, and I was quick to download and read it, once I was accepted. Expecting to be jetting off on an exotic holiday with her hopefully soon-to-be fiance, ends up with our heroine, Amy, finding herself dumped, and on the set of a Big Brother-style reality show, The Shelf. Cue four weeks of coping with humiliation, forming friendships, and coming to realisations about herself. It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book, initially. Why was this woman putting up with that narcissistic idiot of a boyfriend, Jamie? And when she got dumped, live on telly, why did she stay? But then, as the story unfolded, I found myself immersed in the whole situation. I loved Amy, who, as a woman in her thirties, was feeling the pull for the traditional version of where she should be in life; marriage and 2.4 kids, but went on to find a version of herself that worked for her. The supporting cast of women on the show with her were an eclectic mix of characters. I’d almost have enjoyed a bit more friction between them at times, but equally, I loved how they stood up for each other too. Anyone else want to slap the show’s host, Andy? I really did! Overall a good read, and quite addictive, once you get into it. I’d like to see ow a bunch of men would handle the show! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for an ARC, in exchange for an honest opinion.
The Memory Of Us is the first of Camille Di Maio’s books I’ve read, and I really enjoyed it. I was touched by the wartime story of Julianne Westcott and her forbidden love for religious man, Kyle McCarthy. Julianne has it all on the face of it. From a wealthy Liverpudlian family, she has all the luxuries a girl desires, including her beauty, and suitors to match, but her heart is insistent in its demand to love only one, deeply unsuitable man. Kyle is the son of a gardener and is destined to become a Catholic priest. Julianne’s Protestant background means even a hint of a union between them would cause great grief. Still, you can’t help who you love… I was wrapped up in the blossoming love story of the two and wanted to cry at the twists and tragedies that befall a near-perfect couple and their love story. Oh, and the deep secret hidden away by her parents… Not giving anything away. A wonderful, heartwrenching read.
This is the first book I have read from Jess Carpenter and I had a ball reading it. The story is based around Les, a young woman who is starting college, and has a bit of history that she is trying to work through. A dear father who passed away, a mother who has extremely high aspirations for her, and an ex-boyfriend who turns up, as a student at her college. Les meets Candy, a Latino fellow student, who brings colour and a different culture into her love, along with a hot brother, Carter. The book is written as if Les is treating us, the readers, as her studio audience, so there are comments directed at us, as well as telling us about what’s going on. I enjoyed the bubbling romances, the love triangle that is set from the beginning, and how it ends up. The author has also touched upon the huge issue of racism, targeting the Mexican community, and how Les combats her mother’s prejudiced feelings towards her new Latino friends. And there are the expectations of her mother that. Les has to try her hardest to reach. I loved Candy, the new best friend, filled with spunk and her own story brewing in the background, so was thrilled to read that there would be more about her in a future book! I think this will be a book much enjoyed by young adults and college-goers, with romance, culture and a lot of fun. Thank you Jess, for a copy of your book, in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the story of baker Lucy, and her journey to rekindling her relationship with estranged hubby, world famous chef, Oliver. Lucy was left high and dry a few years earlier, when Oliver’s career took an international turn, and they sacrificed their marriage for their food passions. When Oliver makes a surprise return to their home town, Lucy is stunned, not least because she is in a relationship with someone else. A great rom-com filled with food, cakes and other relationship bakes!
And there you have it. Another month of great reads! Seventeen, this time!
Oh wow, it is the last month of this year, and the last month of this decade! Where did the time go, seriously? Well, I know, that alongside the fun of end of term school activities, and getting my own book out there, I have been enjoying another bumper crop of reads!
Sprinkled with personal anecdotes, Forrest has really broken down the whys and wherefores of how we spend our time each day, and some extremely easy ways to identify our goals, our ‘Whys’, (as she calls them), and then implement strategies to maximise our efficiency. I, for one, am definitely excited to start a routine where I am more conscious of when I am productive, and how I can create a world that works for me, in my personal life, professional life and with my passion for writing. Part of my new routine, to be established, will be a set amount of time, 3-4 days a week, where I read a craft book, and actually digest what I am reading and take notes. This will enable me to hopefully create better words from the off when I get back to my creative writing.
Sarah and Liza are friends who met and bonded through a local NCT group, being a support network for each other through those first fraught months and years of parenthood. They look out for one another and have been there for each other through thick and thin. Then something happens, injuring one of their children, and a web of lies, guilt and secrecy is woven. An interesting format, and I especially liked the WhatsApp chats that were interspersed between chapters, as an extremely relevant addition to the book, seeing as a huge percentage of the population uses it as a means of communication. Some interesting twists were revealed as the conclusion was reached. Well, it was definitely a compelling read, seeing as I finished it in a day! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What happens when you are on your way to your wedding, and moments from arriving, you realise that you can’t do it? Then you send a message to your intended, only to find out that he has been involved in a horrific accident? Guilt sears through you, as well as confusion, What do you do now? Was it your fault? Jeannie McCarthy was in this exact position. Until Dan gained consciousness, she wouldn’t know whether he’d heard the message. So she’d have to pretend to be the loving fiancee, waiting for any news on his recovery. Meanwhile, Jeannie tries to fill the waiting with attempts to settle into a new town and finds herself immersed in the caring of several litters of puppies, making new friends, and reigniting her love of songwriting. I was swept away by this tale of crossed connections. It is a love story, with breakups. A sad, yet happy tale. Good? I’d like to think so! I finished it in a day! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ben is reeling from a break-up, and suddenly the most attractive woman he’s seen is showing interest in him. Forget interest, Bella wants him. And from want, branches commitment in the form of a sudden pregnancy and quick wedding. But things aren’t always as they seem. As Ben withdraws from his friends and family, Bella’s claws dig deeper into him. What’s the story?
I was totally immersed in the story, and the twists, followed by the point of view changes, made me despise Bella all the more.
A fantastic story that keeps you gripped until the very end! I’ve already recommended it to a few friends!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As the title suggests, this is a book set in a 24-hour cafe in London. Part American diner, part traditional caff, the place is the setting for many life stories. The book is written over a 24 hour period, detailing the lives of two of the workers there, Hannah and Mona, flatmates and friends for the last few years. Interspersed with micro-stories of some of the customers, we also learn stories of Hannah and Mona’s past and how they met, Interestingly written, with a great underlying story about friendship, and living in modern-day London. Many Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Books about family are always a favourite of mine, and this new read from Marian Keyes was fully family fuelled! A story about the fortunes of three men, the Casey brothers, Johnny, Ed and Liam, and their respective wives, Jessie, Cara and Nell.
A surprise knock to the head causes Cara to blurt out a whole host of truths at the dinner table one night, in front of the whole family. Truths that have huge consequences.
t starts in the present, then delves backwards, accessing the views of a whole host of characters involved in the story, leading back to the very first scene, allowing us an insight into what happened, to cause the conversation that starts the book.
There are many issues touched upon within the book, from fidelity to eating disorders, trust to control.
I enjoyed the way that each jump back, then forwards, strengthened my knowledge of each character. It isn’t always easy to follow books with multiple points of view, yet I was left with fully formed characters in my mind at the end of the book.
Another page-turner!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, what a wonderful Christmas short! Seven-year-old Morgan sends Santa a video with her request for Christmas this year, and he delivers in a true Christmas miracle style! Ryan is a successful businessman and single father. Rena is a lonely twenty-something woman, struggling to keep afloat. What do they have in common, besides working in the same building? A summons to jury service. And right before Christmas too. What develops over the few days they are together, will make you wonder whether Santa really is around, after all! I was touched by the story and the ending gave me that warm feeling that all festive stories should. Definitely ready for my Christmas miracle now!
Oh, my goodness, Mrs Prowse, you did it again. Made me cry. A Mother’s Story is another one of those beautifully written stories, in Amanda Prowse’s unique voice, which deals with sensitive issues, that are not beautiful at all. Jessica and Matthew get married and are at the peak of their newly-married bliss when they find out they are to become parents. Having a child was always a part of their plan, but a (pleasant) surprise, so early. However, a traumatic birth experience triggers the start of the baby blues which spiral deep into postnatal depression. I was moved to tears as we were transported from the present day, hearing Jessica’s voice, as she makes a slow recovery, to the happenings of the past; the triggers that caused a truly horrendous incident to occur. I applaud Amanda Prowse for tackling such a delicate topic, not in a flowery way, but in that human, realistic way. Books like this go some way to educating others about how much of a serious illness postnatal depression is. Read it. Just read.
I really enjoyed the first two books in the Wildflower series and was excited to have a Christmas themed novella to help tie up the loose ends of the story. Kara Hart had been through an awful lot, the past few months, and the loss of her beloved father was one of the biggest things. Keeping busy, trying to realise his dreams, and getting caught up in finding long lost family, alongside renovations of her new home, finally takes its toll. Kara is ready for a calm and quiet Christmas, with, maybe, the company of her tentative boyfriend, Will. Time to reflect on the changes in her life. But nothing is ever as easy as that. Long-lost family, health problems, wayward best friends, old lovers and a child in need of care over the festive period all come together to create a truly memorable Christmas, for Kara and her loved ones. A lovely, conclusion to a great three-part series.
Another heartwarming tale with elements of fire within. It’s never easy, being a wife and mother, and caring for an elderly parent on top of that can be exhausting. Jacks is stuck in a wheel of looking after her children, her husband, Pete, Ida, her mum, the house and family life in general. This wasn’t the life she had dreamt of, for herself, all those years ago. Instead, she lives her life vicariously, through her daughter, envisioning a bright future for her. But, what Jacks sees as one bad choice by her daughter, all her dreams turn to dust. The story moves back and forth, mirroring Jacks life as a teen with that of her as the mother of a teen, and slowly realisations become clear. It’s not easy being a carer. The reader is really made to feel the sense of duty, and love, as well as the frustration that is involved in looking after your own parent. It isn’t any easier being a parent. Guiding your children all their lives, until suddenly they are ready to take control of their own decisions. And the choices they make aren’t what you would want. I loved reading this story and was sucked in from the beginning. I empathised with Jacks. Though her personal situation is not like my own, I could understand her frustrations, her yearning for something different. A lovely read.
Even Salt Looks Like Sugar was a quick read, about a young black girl, Wanda, trapped in a living situation that she can’t get out of. She is being ‘cared for’ by Miss Cassaundra, finds herself caring for a young girl Abby, and wants to get away, to make a better life for herself and Abby. A story that gives you things to think about. I enjoyed the premise of the story, but sometimes was a little thrown with whose point of view I was reading.
Millicent Carmichael, or Missy, is an elderly lady of 78. She’s existing in her large house in London, with her husband no longer keeping her company, and her children having flown the nest. A chance encounter with two very different women brings changes to her life that she never thought would happen. For a start, she ends up with a dog. Set in 2017 and bouncing back to various times in Missy’s life, we learn a lot about Missy’s life, and how she came to be all alone, despite being a mother to two, a grandmother and a wife. A heartwarming read, with a few surprises, revealed along the way. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collines UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oooh, I love a prequel, and was extremely excited to receive this novella by Linda G. Hill, to accompany her series! The Dagmars have a curse upon them, and, having read the series already, I knew all about it. But to read a little backstory, now that is always good! Finding out a bit about Steven’s father Tarmien, and how he began to understand how the family curse, and his own powers, would affect his future, and that of his own children. If you’ve read the two books in the series, you really should read this… and if you haven’t, this would make you want to read!
I tried. I tried really hard to enjoy this book, but I just didn’t find myself getting into it. It was the same with his first book, Fresh Off The Boat. Still, I liked the ideas behind why this book was written. Just, didn’t really enjoy how it was written. Eddie Huang’s journey back home to China, to find himself and his roots, littered with rap slang and profanities… Some may enjoy it. Wasn’t my cup of tea.
Wow! I gotta say, this isn’t my usual genre of book, usually favouring easy to read rom coms and cosy fiction, but boy did I get into this one, once I started! Mahoney is a Chief Detective in a small force in Calgary and is soon embroiled in the investigations of a series of murders. Each killing has a link to the rock scene of the time, in the ’80s and each case is more and more bizarre, twisted, and definitely connected. Once it is established that a serial killer is out there, investigations ramp up. And Detective Mahoney is not about to let this murderer get away. I have to say, I loved it all, and I ended up staying up way past my bedtime to finish, wanting to know what the score was! Written from the view of the Detective, but with insights into the mind of another key person from the story, it was unputdownable… well, I couldn’t put it down, anyway! And I am rather excited about reading more from this talented author, who has an ’80s fixation and some truly disturbing story ideas!
Oh, what a genuinely heartwarming read! I loved it! Having read Good Man Dalton, I was eager to read this companion book to it, revisiting characters we already knew, but from a different perspective. The story is centred around Brenna, the youngest daughter of the Vanderhaven family. A young girl, born into a family that wants for nothing; her whims catered for, as much as her overprotective parents will allow. Still, she can’t have a dog or her own cell phone or time with her parents. Then something awful happens. Along with her sister, Cece moving out, she finds out that her parents are going to fire her Nanny. Distraught, she decides upon a plan that ends up causing changes no one would have ever envisaged. People often think that being from a wealthy family means that a person has everything — no reason to be unhappy or disgruntled in any way. This story shows that real wealth is family and love, not money. A wonderful read. So wonderful, I ended up reading it in one sitting!
Sorry to say this wasn’t the most amazing read, for me. I read Lullaby, by Slimani, previously, and found it a really hard book to get into, and very cold. Adele was easier to start, but aside from describing the behaviours of a sex-addicted woman, I felt it was very two dimensional. I didn’t warm to her, or empathise with her at any point. She’s a mother, but there was no real feeling for her son, and the ending was all too strange for me… Lost in translation? Maybe. Sorry. No.
What a wonderful collection of short stories. Little snippets of brilliance and you can tell why they were award-winning, or certainly worthy. Using just a few words, Esther is able to reduce you a gibbering wreck, tugging at heartstrings, that even the coldest of hearts has. I loved each and every story, but those that dealt with parenting and losing a child were really emotive. If you are a short story fan, you MUST read this book. You won’t regret it. Whether it is devoured in one sitting or read leisurely, savouring each story individually, it will stay with you.
And with that last book, I finish my reading year…
Yup. I read a LOT of books this year!
I’m not going to be silly and try and smash that number, next year, but I will keep reading, and reviewing!
What about you? How many books did you read? Do you take part in the Goodreads challenge?
If you are on Goodreads, why not connect there too?
I was so honoured to have been approached by such an amazing author in the first place, and gobsmacked that my opinion had been sought about this first of a two-part series!
Now, I was totally fangirling!
Amanda is an inspirational author and it was such fun to pop into various shops, and see her books on the shelves! I found myself pointing them out to my daughter, saying “Look! That’s my author friend’s book!”
She was even on The Wright Stuff, and I was grinning away at the recorded episode I saw her on!
Anna was the first book in a twosome with the tagline One Love, Two Stories.
The idea was that you read the same story, but from the perspective of both halves of the couple.
And I was so touched to receive the second book in the twosome last week, just in time for my weekend away! I have to say, I enjoyed it so much I finished it pretty quickly, grabbing every moment I could to sneak reading time! Then when I was pages away from finishing, I didn’t want it to end, so I put it down, late at night, in order to continue the pleasure through to the next day!
What is the book about?
The official blurb reads:
There are two sides to every love story. This is Theo’s.
Theo Montgomery grew up in a rich family where he had all the toys and trinkets money could buy. But his childhood was full of neglect and he was bullied at school. Now he is an adult, he longs to find a soulmate. Someone who understands him. Someone who will love him unconditionally.
Then, one day, Theo meets Anna Cole in a lift. Anna grew up in a care home, and has always wanted to create the noisy family life she never had. She brings love and laughter into Theo’s life. But she wants a baby, and Theo can’t imagine bringing a child into this cruel world…
Theo and Anna are two damaged souls, from two different worlds. Is their love for each other enough to let go of the pain of their pasts? Or will Anna and Theo break each others’ hearts?
My take?
Anna came from a tough background, having experienced the loss of both parents, and her brother, being in care, and then finding out her real father, who she had been looking for, had also died. She spent her life writing letters to her two future children, Fifi and Fox, and her dearest wish was to be able to have a family, and create the family life she had wished for.
She met the man she wanted to fulfil her dreams with, Theo.
A guy from a very affluent background, all posh boarding school, and holidays abroad. Working in his family business when he and Anna meet, they couldn’t be from more opposite backgrounds.
But the similarities in their situations are evident. While we learn of Anna’s background in the first book, the second gives you the lowdown on Theo and his childhood.
Theo is just as troubled, having been forced to follow in his father’s, and grandfather’s footsteps, to a school where he never fit in. He then finds himself in college, where he had a brief respite from thinking of his family honour and was able to be himself for the first time. Things take a downward twist and he is again on the road following his father, this time in the family business.
He’s dealt with the fact that his father is an adulterous flirt, who has actually fathered another child, that his mother would actually prefer to stay with her cheating husband, and that Theo himself is almost an inconvenience in their life, especially as he doesn’t appear to be cut from the same cloth as his father… a square peg being forced into a round hole, as he sees it.
School was bearable, purely because of the advice and companionship of an older gentleman, a groundsman named Mr Porter, who ends up being made to leave his job, leaving Theo floundering again
His only friend at university is Spud, a lad from Wigan, who, despite not being from Theo’s background, is a grounding influence on him, and an unwavering source of support through many revelations that Theo has to deal with.
Meeting Anna changes Theo’s life.
A woman who had been through so much, in her short life, but still understands him, and gets that, though he has led what many would consider a ‘privileged’ life, he’s just as damaged as her.
Their own personal ups and downs, seen through the eyes of Theo, help to complete the whole picture of these two stories that show one love.
And my review, available to see on Amazon here and Goodreads here:
I absolutely loved Anna, and was impatient to read Theo.
Was I disappointed?
Not at all!
It’s an interesting concept, to write the same story from both parties eyes.
I really felt for Anna, learning her story in the first book, and reading Theo’s story cemented my feelings that it is circumstance that creates the person you become.
Theo was never a bad guy. He may have made mistakes, but hey, don’t we all?
He tries to overcome so much to create a life, and a future for him and the woman he loves, despite all sorts coming back to bite him all the time.
Yes, I kinda knew what was going to happen next in the latter half of the story, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all. In fact, it heightened it, as I learned the why’s behind some questions I had at the end of Anna.
Would I recommend it? Yes, 100%! Do yourself a favour, if you haven’t already… get both the books and look forward to a great ride!
And my rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was provided with a copy of the book in exchange for honest comments regarding the story.
About Amanda:
Amanda has always obsessively crafted short stories and scribbled notes for potential books, but it wasn’t until she was forty that she began writing full time. The result was Poppy Day, the story of an army wife, whose incredible love for her husband gives her the courage to rescue him from hostages in Afghanistan. This was followed by the number 1 bestseller What Have I Done? Amanda now has ten novels and four novellas published.
All of Amanda’s books in the No Greater Love series share common themes in that they are contemporary love stories, the main characters are women, just like you and I, who find themselves in extraordinary situations for love.
Her new series is the No Greater Courage series, tales of women facing the trials that life throws at them and having to dig deep to find the will and strength to succeed. This series includes the A Mother’s Story and Perfect Daughter, which continue to receive brilliant reader and press reviews.
Amanda’s ambition has always been to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades…
Currently, Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their 18 & 19 year old boys Josh and Ben.
But I Smile Anyway... 